Robert Saleh, NY Jets, HC, Head Coach
Robert Saleh, New York Jets, Getty Images

Is NY Jets HC Robert Saleh really on the hot seat?

Saying the New York Jets have high expectations this season is an understatement. Aaron Rodgers has replaced Zach Wilson at quarterback and the Super Bowl predictions are already being made. But what happens if the Jets fail to reach expectations this year?

Speaking on the Straight Line podcast, former second-overall pick Ryan Leaf gave his thoughts on the Jets, specifically the future of head coach Robert Saleh.

“For as good as it feels like you’ve built things back with Joe Douglas, there is something we haven’t necessarily talked about to Robert Saleh,” said the former second overall pick from the 1998 NFL Draft. “You may be coaching for your job this year, because you have everything now – like everything. No playoff appearances yet in your tenure.”

Leaf continued, “There’s everything that Joe Douglas has laid at your feet. The draft from last year, Aaron Rodgers this year. So I don’t know if this is talked about enough. Robert Saleh seriously could be coaching for his job this year. Especially if they don’t make the playoffs. If that’s three consecutive years – that’s a real conversation you have to have.”

While I also believe that Saleh (and Douglas) could be on the hot seat if the Jets aren’t able to perform to expectations, I think Leaf is vastly overselling Douglas’ contributions to the team’s build. In fact, one could argue that it is Douglas’ fault that the team is in such desperate need of a quarterback.

After all, it was Douglas (and former OC Mike LaFleur) that were enamored with Zach Wilson, enough so that the Jets selected him second overall in the 2021 draft. Wilson repaid that draft capital by having the worst EPA among all eligible quarterbacks over the last two seasons; leading LaFleur and Douglas to concede that the team didn’t handle the development of the BYU prospect properly.

So if Robert Saleh finds himself on the hot seat after this season, don’t be surprised if you see Joe Douglas join him.

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Thomas Christopher has been covering the Jets since 2018. He is an avid sports fan, mixed martial artist, fantasy football player and Rex Ryan stan. He's also one of Jets X-Factor's breaking news writers. Email: tpascar[at]yahoo.com
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Anthony Dino Catello
Anthony Dino Catello
3 months ago

I don’t understand why Jetsxfactor would give Leaf any relevancy. Ryan was a BUST. How can he have an opinion. Ryan is ancient and out. Never contributed to the NFL. RYAN LEAF NEEDS TO FIND ANOTHER AVENUE FOR RELAVANCY.

pat brady
pat brady
3 months ago

Why does anyone care what Ryan Leaf thinks? He was the 2nd overall pick in the last century and he was terrible. His opinion should carry as much weight as mine.

Saleh walked into one of the worst rosters in the NFL. It was a total rebuild so you have to throw that first year out the window and ignore it. Last year they were drastically improved but they had the worst QB play in the NFL so you judge it for what it was. If they take a step backward this year then you have a decision to make but just saying that he hasn’t made the playoffs in 2 years so he’s on the hot seat is stupid. NO ONE expected them to make the playoffs in either of those years.

Jets71
Jets71
3 months ago
Reply to  pat brady

One of the worst rosters in the NFL AND the worst defense in Jets’ history, which improved to top 5 in the league in year 2.

Jonathan Richter
Jonathan Richter
3 months ago

Odds Robert and Joe get fired if the Jets fail to make the playoffs this year – 50/50.
Odds the Jets fail to make the playoffs this year? – 1/100.

mlesko73
mlesko73
3 months ago

I am so flippin’ tired of this “Joe D and Saleh are on the hot seat” narrative.
These guys have built a fantastic place to play and made Floram Park relevant.
It’s bad enough that the “news media” is constantly creating fake news, can we please keep the same from happening in sports?
And, who gives a flyin’ #@!* about Ryan Leaf’s thoughts?

Jets71
Jets71
3 months ago
Reply to  mlesko73

Couldn’t agree more, it’s so OBVIOUS the sports media world NEEDS to find something about the Jets to poke. It’s getting laughable. There was even a writer on this site, who fell into the trap of thinking Joe was caught off guard and in was clearly in a “panic” once the Patoilets traded up just to “stick it to the Jets.” AND this site is the best Jets’ news out there, yet here we had someone falling for the ESPNquirer trap. It’s reached vomit levels, and points to a lack of credibility and/or objectivity.

I like you am “flippin’ tired of it……

Rivka Boord
Editor
3 months ago
Reply to  Jets71

Hm.

Anthony Dino Catello
Anthony Dino Catello
3 months ago
Reply to  Jets71

Jets are real after Adam Gase. Saleh & Douglas are putting together an organization that will be a dynasty. I will not read anything the Jetsxfactor any longer for supporting a negative attitude of Ryan Leaf. THE BUST.

pat brady
pat brady
3 months ago
Reply to  mlesko73

Douglass walked into a complete gut job. Adam Gase was the coach the first year which is like starting out digging the hole that you’re about to start from. He didn’t sign the players or run the draft his first year so it shouldn’t even count. Saleh walked into a team that was going to completely tear it down to the bones. The roster is 100% better than it was when they started. I’d get it if Saleh didn’t meet expectations but no one alive thought the Jets were going to win more than 4 games his first year and no one picked them to make the playoffs in his second year.

Misterhawk
Misterhawk
3 months ago

Ryan Leaf? Really?

If I wanted to know what every rando thinks I’d read Heavy on Jets or Clutch Points.

Last edited 3 months ago by Misterhawk
Fields of Gold
Fields of Gold
3 months ago

Why even acknowledge Ryan Leaf in this context? A coach may or may not be on the hot seat? Is JetsXFactor becoming just like every other click bait obsessed platform? The entire premise here is ridiculous.

SmokeEater26
SmokeEater26
3 months ago

Ryan Leaf…🙄🤣